There is so much that was taken from you because of your truck accident. The physical pain and emotional suffering is yours alone to bear. The inconvenience of medical treatment and the concern about your future can’t be delegated. However, the trucker, trucking company, or other party that caused your truck accident should be held accountable and should compensate you for the injuries that you suffered.
What’s Included in Truck Accident Compensation
Illinois law allows you to recover the following types of damages after a truck wreck:
- Medical expenses. You may recover for any healthcare cost associated with your injury. This includes future costs that may be reasonably anticipated. Some examples of medical expenses that could be included in your recovery include the costs of hospitalizations, surgeries, doctors’ appointments, medications, and rehabilitation therapies.
- Lost income. Your settlement or court verdict should include all past, current, and future income that you are unable to earn due to your injuries. This includes wages, benefits, raises, promotions, and income from self-employment.
- Out-of-pocket costs. Some injuries result in out-of-pocket expenses. For example, if your loved one died you may have funeral costs, and if you were the one hurt then you may need household help.
- Pain and suffering. Your physical pain and emotional suffering may be difficult to value but they may be among your most significant injuries.
In some cases, an injured party may also be able to recover punitive damages. In Illinois, punitive damages are generally allowed only when the injured party can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the “defendant's conduct was with evil motive or with a reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable risk of harm and with a conscious indifference to the rights and safety of others.”
How to Get the Compensation You Deserve
Your recovery will not be automatic—even if it is clear that someone else caused your truck accident. Instead, you are going to have to fight for your fair recovery of damages. An Iowa truck accident lawyer can help you settle your case or get a fair recovery in court. To learn more about how an attorney can help you, please contact us online or call us directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
